Study group to meet on NC fracking matter

The Compulsory Pooling Study Group is to meet Friday in Sanford.

The discussion is expected to focus on compulsory pooling, which joins leased and unleased tracts of land so there is sufficient acreage to form a drilling unit for natural gas extraction. The group will also hear about pooling laws in other states and the life cycle of a mineral rights lease.

The group is compiling its study for the Mining and Energy Commission, which is to report its findings, recommendations and proposals to the Legislature by Oct. 1.

Fracking involves injecting a drilled well with chemicals, water and sand at high pressure to crack shale rock and release natural gas.